# LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. # 

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THE LIF.:^, 



ROBERT R. ROBERTS, 

ONE OF THE BISHOPS OF THE METH0£»1ST EPISCOPAL CHCECH. 



By BEXJAMIX St. JAMES FRY. 



PUBLISHED BY CARLTOX & PHILLIPS, 

SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION, 200 MULBERRY-STEEET. 

1856. 




Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by 

CARLTON & PHILLIPS, 

in tiie Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern 
District of New-York. 



PREFACE. 



This Life of Bishop Roberts^ the fourth 
in a series of the Hves of the bishops of 
our Church written for the Sabbath- 
school hbrary^ is but Httle more than 
an abridgment of the biography writ- 
ten by Dr. Charles ElKott. Some new 
matter has been introduced^ changes 
haye been made in the flow of the nar- 
rative, and the whole composed with a 
view of making it interesting to youth- 
ful readers. 

Much that would have been valuable 
in the life of the bishop has been lost 
in the death of those best acquainted 



4- 



PKEFACE. 



with him. His unusual diffidence as 
to the value of his services, kept him 
from making any record of them. Yet 
it is hoped that the volume may be 
found both interesting and instructive. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER L 

HIS BIETH — LIMITED MEANS OF EDUCATION — MONTIS TO THE 
WEST — STATE OF EELIGION — THE ITINEEANT PREACH- 
ERS — COXTER SIGNS IN THE ROEERTS FAMILY — HIS PAR- 
ENTS JOIN THE CHUECH — PEEACHING AT HIS FATHER'S 
HOUSE — HIS MORAL STANDING CONVEESION .. . . . Page 9 



CHAPTER II. 

HIS FAITHFULNESS — UNITES WITH THE CHURCH ATTENDS 

SCHOOL VISITS SHENANGO — PIONEEE LIFE — CON^TiCTION 

OF HIS DUTY TO PEEACH — HIS FATHEE MOTES TO SHE- 
NANGO A SOCIETY FOEMED CHOSEN LEADER OF THE 

CLASS HIS FIEST PUBLIC ATTEMPT, AT SPEAEING — 

M,ARRIAGE LICENSED TO EXHORT FIRST SERMON 

LICENSED TO PREACH — ADMITTED INTO THE BALTIMORE 
CONFERENCE - 19 



6 



COKTENTS. 



CHAPTER III. 

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE MINISTRY GOES TO CARLISLE 

CIRCUIT SICKNESS — DIFFICULTIES — SUCCESS — MONT- 
GOMERY CIRCUIT — HARD LABOR— REVIVAL — ORDAINED 
DEACON — ^FREDERIC CIRCUIT — ATTENDS GENERAL CON- 
FERENCE — SUCCESS — VISITS SHENANGO — SHENANGO CIR- 
CUIT PREACHES IN PITTSBURGH— ERIE — DIFFICULTIES 

AND SUCCESS ORDAINED ELDER— BUILDS A NEW CABIN 

^PITTSBURGH CIRCUIT CENSURED BY THE CONFERENCE 

— ATTENDS GENERAL CONFERENCE — RETURNS TO HIS 

CIRCUIT Page 35 



CHAPTER IV. 

TRANSFERRED TO BALTIMORE CITY — HIS POSITION — RE- 
TURNED TO BALTIMORE — FELLAS POINT — ALEXANDRIA — 
GEORGETOWN — VISITS PRESIDENT MADISON — TWO YEARS 
IN PHILADELPHIA — FREEDOM FROM SECTARIANISM — 
VISITS INDIANA — APPOINTED PRESIDING ELDER — ELECT- 
ED PRESIDENT OF PHILADELPHIA CONFERENCE — DELE- 
GATE TO GENERAL CONFERENCE — VACANCY IN THE EPIS- 
COPACY — ELECTED BISHOP — MENTAL CONFLICT IN RELA- 
TION TO ACCEPTING THE POSITION— CONSECRATED TO 
THE OFFICE 52 



CONTENTS. 



1 



CHAPTER V. 

DECIDES TO RESIDE IN THE WEST— FIRST EPISCOPAL TOUR 
— SICKNESS — LACK OF MATERIAL FROM WHICH TO GIYE 
A FULL ACCOUNT OF HIS LABORS — VISITS INDIANA — 

DEVOTION TO THE WORK — DIFFIDENCE ANECDOTE — 

TOUR TO THE EAST — MOVES TO INDIANA — SICKNESS — 
HIS LABORS— ANECDOTE — BUILDS A NEW LOG-HOUSE — 
THE LOG-CABIN BISHOP — ANECDOTE VISITS THE SOUTH- 
ERN CONFERENCES — INCIDENT ILLUSTRATING HIS BE- 
NEVOLENCE AND PERSEVERANCE Page 66 



CHAPTER VI. 

INCREASED LABORS ESCAPE FROM DEATH— SICKNESS AT 

LOUISVILLE GENERAL CONFERENCE AT CLN"CINNATI — 

PLAN OF HIS LABORS FOR FOUR YEARS— URGED TO CHANGE 
THE PLACE OF HIS RESIDENCE, BUT DECLINES — PRESENT 
IN BALTIMORE AT GENERAL CONFERENCE — VISITS THE 

INDIAN MISSIONS ST. LOUIS VISITED SITS FOR HIS 

PORTRAIT MEETS THE ROCK RH'ER CONFERENCE — ILLI- 
NOIS CONFERENCE — MISSOURI CONFERENCE ARKANSAS 

CONFERE^TCE — RETURNS HOME — HIS OFFICIAL LABORS 
CLOSED 88 



CHAPTER Vn. 

SEVERE WINTER — MUCH AFFLICTED WITH ASTHMA — AT- 
TENDS CHRISTJIAS MEETING DEATH OF HIS NEPHEW — 



8 



CONTENTS. 



VISITS BEDFORD — PREACHES — HIS LAST SERMON— TEM- 
PERANCE MEETING PHYSICIAN CALLED IN — TYPHUS 

FEVER SETS IN — HIS SICK-BED MAKES HIS WILL— DE- 
LIRIUM — DYING MOMENTS — DEATH — ^FUNERAL SERVICES 
— BURIAL — REMAINS REMOVED TO GREENCASTLE — PER- 
SONAL APPEAEANCE — THE SIMPLICITY OF HIS MANNERS 
HIS PIETY — THE CHARACTER OP HIS PREACHING IN- 
CIDENT — HIS OFFICIAL CHARACTER — ^aiEEKNESS — ^DECI- 
SION — BENEVOLENCE Page 106 



THE LIFE 

OF 

ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 



OHAPTEE I. 

FROM HIS BIRTH TO HIS CONVERSION. 

RoBEET RiCHFORD ROBERTS^ the subject 
of the following sketchy was born in 
Frederic county, Maryland, August 2d; 
1778. His parents were natives of the 
same state, in moderate circumstances, 
and very highly respected among all 
their acquaintance. Their son, Robert 
Richford, who afterward held the honor- 
able position of a bishop in the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, was the third 



10 LIFE OF KOBERT R. ROBERTS. 

son of the same name^ the others having 
died in infancy. 

The father's occupation was farming, 
and having to rely entirely on his own 
efforts for the support of a large family, 
he found it impossible to bestow upon 
his children what would now be called 
a good education. They had only the 
advantages of the neighborhood school, 
where the course of study consisted of 
reading, writing, and a limited knowl- 
edge of arithmetic. Even these branches 
were often imperfectly taught. 

To such a school Robert was sent 
when about four years old. His ad- 
vancement was rather more rapid than 
that of most boys of the same age, and 
he was soon able to read in the Bible 
with ease. 

At the close of the Revolutionary 
war, in the year 1785, in which Mr. 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 11 



Roberts had taken a very active part, 
the property in Maryland was sold, and 
the family moved to Ligonier Yallev, 
Westmoreland coiintv, Pennsylvania. 
This removal interfered with the educa- 
tion of the younger members of the 
family. There were no schools in which 
he could attend, and, if there had been, 
the circumstances of the family would 
not have allowed it. The country was 
mostly a heavy forest ; great labor was 
required in bringing it into cultivation, 
and, therefore, every member of the 
family was needed to engage in daily 
farm work. The devoted mother was 
much afflicted, and thus having no one 
to assist him — for the father and older 
ones of the family were too busy in pro- 
curing the necessaries of life — Robert 
soon lost his facility in reading. 

The settlers in this part of the state, 



12 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

SO far as they made any profession of 
religion, were members of the Presby- 
terian and Seceder Churches. 

There was, however, little or no true 
religion among them, and the stand- 
ard of morality was much lower than 
with Christians of the present day. 
It was not strange to see members of 
the Church intoxicated, and such amuse- 
ments as dancing were considered cor- 
rect. Mr. Roberts and his wife were 
members of the Church of England, now 
known as the Protestant Episcopal 
Church, and affectionately attached to 
its doctrines and forms of worship. 
They had not experienced a change of 
heart, but were faultless in the moral 
character of their lives. 

Therefore there was but little sympathy 
between the family and those in the 
neighborhood who were considered re- 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 13 

ligious ; and^ for several years after their 
removal to Ligonier Valley^ they at- 
tended but seldom on public worship. 
They often^, however^ read the Bible and 
religious books in the family, and, on 
Sabbath, forms of prayer from the 
Prayer-Book. Pains were also taken to 
instruct the children in the principles of 
religion, as held by the Church of their 
choice. 

In the year 1788 the Methodist itin- 
erant preachers came into the country, 
and preached about half a mile from Mr. 
Roberts's house. Several of Robert's 
elder brothers and sisters attended their 
preaching, but seemed to be more 
amused than instructed by the service. 
Mr. Roberts was prejudiced against the 
Methodists, principally through the ad- 
vice of his former minister in Maryland, 
and he refused to hear them, regarding 



14 LIFE OF ROBEKT R. ROBERTS. 

them as false prophets. Mrs. Roberts's 
prejudices were not so strong ; for after 
a time she went to preaching, taking 
Robert with her. The sermon made a 
very deep impression on her mind, and 
was not without effect on the son. Mr. 
Roberts's objection remained, and his 
wife and son did not attend the preach- 
ing for a long time again. 

But soon God in great mercy began 
to produce conviction in the mind of the 
older brothers and sisters. One day, as 
Robert was returning home from his 
labors on the farm, he heard a strange 
noise in the adjoining woods. At first 
he supposed it to be some wild animal ; 
but as he drew nearer the place from 
which it came, he recognized a human 
voice. When he came still nearer, he 
found it was his favorite sister, EHza- 
beth, earnestly pleading with God to 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 15 

have mercy on her^ and forgive her sins. 
Her apparent distress greatly alarmed 
him, yet he withdrew without being seen, 
and kept the whole occurrence secret. 
His three elder sisters, shortly after this, 
united with the Methodist societies ; and 
the eldest, Sarah, being gifted in prayer, 
was frequently called upon to pray in 
public. 

The religious zeal of this sister soon 
affected the whole family to a consider- 
able extent. Family worship was reg- 
ularly performed; the whole family at- 
tended Methodist preaching ; and the 
father and mother, and two of the sons, 
joined the society. Robert attended 
Church regularly, prayed in secret, and 
was greatly interested concerning his 
sinful condition. He began to read such 
books as Fletcher's " Appeal " and 
" Checks," and attained to quite a cor- 



16 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

rect notion of the doctrines of the Meth- 
odist Church. But his opportunity even 
for this improvement was limited, for 
his elder brothers;, having arrived to 
manhood, labored for themselves, and 
the family looked to him as the prin- 
cipal support in daily toil. 

The regular preaching was now at his 
father's house, and he was brought in 
close contact with the preachers, whose 
instructions and conversations were of 
great assistance. He also had whatever 
advantages were to be gained from a 
constant attendance on the class and 
prayer-meetings. A severe affliction, 
arising from breaking his leg, gave him 
more than usual time for reflection on 
religious subjects, and to improve his 
mind by reading. His improvement in 
religious knowledge was rapid, and his 
moral character was so exemplary, that 



LIFE OF ROBEET R. ROBERTS. 17 

he was chosen by the preacher in charge 
of the circuity to act as catechist over 
the children of the neighborhood, who 
met weekly for that purpose. 

Though unconverted; he was not ex- 
pecting to be saved by his moral hfe, 
nor his works of righteousness, but 
earnestly sought the mercy of God 
through the Saviour. Such a course 
would soon produce the ripe fruit, and 
in May, 1792, he received the evidence 
of his acceptance with God. There is 
an account of his conversion, which was 
taken down from his own lips a year 
before he died. Here is a copy of the 
* clear, simple statement : 

" One day, about sunrise, in the month 
of May, I was in a corner of the fence 
praying, when, I humbly trust, my sins 
were pardoned, and God for Christ's 
sake accepted me. Before that time I 

2 



18 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

had frequently had sweet intimations of 
the goodness and the mercy of the Lord. 
My heart was tender^ and I felt as if I 
could love God and his people. But 
yet, until that morning, my heart was 
not at rest. Then everything seemed 
changed. Nature w^ore a new aspect, 
as I arose and went to my work with 
cheerfulness ; though I own I did not 
then know whether I had received all 
that I should look for in conversion. I 
never had such alarming views of my 
condition as some have experienced. 
My mind was gradually opened ; and 
although I had always led a moral life, 
I firmly behoved that my heart must be 
changed. Owing to my youth, I can- 
not now remember the precise day of 
my conversion, though the scene, as it 
occurred that morning, has ever been 
deeply printed on mv memory," 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 19 



CHAPTEE n. 

FROM HIS CONYERSIOX TO HIS ENTRANCE INTO 
THE ITINERANCY. 

The young convert immediately^ by his 
experience of God's work of grace in his 
hearty and religious opinions, accepted 
the members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church as his brethren, but he did not 
unite with the Church. This was occa- 
sioned in part from his own extreme diffi- 
dence, lest, being young, he might bring 
some reproach on the cause of Christ ; 
and partly because his father advised 
him to delay such an important step 
until he was older. He was, however, 
permitted to enjoy the rehgious meet- 
ings peculiar to the Church. He 
delighted in these means of grace, and 



20 LIFE OF ROBEET R. ROBERTS. 

was known to walk ten miles, on a Sab- 
bath morning, to attend a love-feast 
meeting. 

Some of the preachers who followed 
those on the circuit at the time of his 
conversion, had a better insight into his 
character, and treated him with that 
kindness and encouragement which his 
sensitive nature demanded. The man- 
ner in which he became connected with 
the Church is thus related in his Life 
by Dr. EUiot : " One day, Mr. Bell, the 
preacher in charge of the circuit, meet- 
ing the class, Robert was the last to 
whom he spoke, for he always sat back 
toward the door; after Mr. Bell had 
spoken to him, he turned to the class- 
leader, and asked him if there was any 
objection to Brother Roberts joining the 
Church on probation. The leader re- 
phed that he knew of no objection, 



LIFE OF ROBEET R. ROBERTS. 21 



neither did the other members of the 
class know of any. Indeed, he was 
highly prized by all as a very pious 
boy^ whose religious experience was re- 
markably clear, whose hfe was unblam- 
able, and whose humihty, gentleness, 
and unassuming pretenses, gave him 
favor in the sight of all men. The 
preacher then put down his name on the 
class-book." 

This enrollment among God's people 
was entirely in accordance with his 
wishes, and was ever afterward a pleas- 
ant remembrance. He was now six- 
teen years old ; at an age much earlier 
than most enter into the service of 
Christ ; but there was a maturity of the 
Christian virtues about him, and a faith- 
fulness to Christian duties, that made a 
favorable impression on all who knew 
him. Some already began to speak of 



22 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

the ministry as the proper sphere for 
his hfe's labors. 

We are compelled to pass over many 
interesting incidents of his youth, and 
note those only which seem to have had 
some influence upon his character, mold- 
ing it, through the providence of God, 
for the position he ^Yas to occupy. 

He felt the need of a better education, 
and made some attempts to obtain it. 
A portion of the winter of 1795-96, 
amounting to about three months, was 
spent at school. The school was kept 
by an intelligent Irishman, Mr. M'Abee, 
about three and a half miles from his 
father's residence. He left home each 
Monday morning, and returned on Fri- 
day evening, for he assisted his father 
in providing a support for the family as 
far as it was possible. He boarded at 
the house in which the school was kept. 



LIFE OF EGBERT E. EOBEETS. 23 

working during his leisure hours to pay 
his board. At school he was highly re- 
spected by the teacher and his fellow- 
students, winning their hearts by his 
kindness and uniform gentleness of 
character. This was the only school- 
ing he obtained after he was seven 
years old. 

In the spring of 1796, being nearly 
eighteen years of age, in company with 
his brother Thomas and three others, he 
made a visit into the unsettled regions 
of northwestern Pennsylvania. The 
Legislature of the state, anxious to in- 
duce settlers into the region, had offered 
very liberal proposals to all who would 
clear grounds, build cabins, and make 
actual settlements. Making quite an 
extended exploration of the region, they 
finally selected tracts of land on Little 
Shenango Creek. The timber appeared 



24 LIFE OF EGBERT R. ROBERTS 

good, the soil rich, and they proceeded 
to cut logs, build a cabin, and deaden 
the trees preparatory to cultivating the 
soil. 

The life of a pioneer is one of toil and 
hardships, and cuts off one from many 
social and religious advantages. These 
disadvantages are in some measure com- 
pensated by the development of mind 
and body which necessarily follows, 
when the exercise is abundant in the 
open air, and the mind compelled to re- 
sort to many ingenuities. Robert re- 
alized these advantages in his pioneer 
life ; and although his mind was often 
depressed from a want of Christian 
counsel and the ordinary means of grace, 
yet he held fast his integrity. God was 
with him, and his daily experiences 
were giving consistency and value to 
his character. 



LIFE OF ROBEFvT R. EGBERTS. 25 

Their arduous labors realized but little 
return, and they concluded to make their 
way again to Ligonier. Once more at 
home, surrounded by friends, and hav- 
ing the advantages of Christian commu- 
nion and associationsf the time passed 
happily. 

His mind now became greatly exer- 
cised in relation to impressions continu- 
ally presenting themselves as to his 
duty to preach the Gospel. Thoughts 
of this kind had been in his mind from 
the time that he was a mere boy ; but 
now they came with a distinctness, 
and from such a source as to demand 
his attention. He could not, however, 
make up his mind for any public efforts ; 
for he knew his feebleness, and at the 
same time had the most exalted views 
of the ministerial character and labor. 
The immediate result of these convic- 



26 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

tionS; was to impress on his mind the 
necessity of a decided stand on the 
Christian platform^ and to engage him 
in more pubhc labors than heretofore. 

The spring of 1797 found Robert 
anxious to visit again the scenes of his 
former pioneer Hfe. He was arriving at 
manhoodj and wished, as young men are 
accustomed, to secure for himself an in- 
dependence. The company in which he 
traveled consisted of himself, two 
brothers, and seven other persons from 
the same neighborhood. This time they 
entered on the enterprise better equip- 
ped and provisioned. They encoun- 
tered many hardships, arising from the 
unsettled condition of the country. 
During the summer his father and 
sister Elizabeth visited the country ; 
and his sister remained, having the do- 
mestic care of the log-cabin which they 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 27 

had built. He spent some time in hunt- 
ing, but does not seem to have had 
much success, and in one instance, at 
least, his life seemed almost miraculously 
preserved. 

Early in 1798 his father removed 
from Ligonier to the newly opened 
farm ; other families moved, in many of 
which were Methodists. Rev. Jacob 
Gurwell, an Irishman, of excellent Chris- 
tian character, and a local preacher of 
some talent, moved into the neighbor- 
hood, and commenced to preach every 
Sabbath. 

During the summer a class was 
formed, of which Robert was chosen 
leader. This was a great cross, and the 
more so as the class was in part com- 
posed of members of his father's family. 
His diffidence was so great that he could 
not be brought to speak separately to 



28 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

the members, although he met with 
them, leading the singing and prayer. 
A new leader was chosen^ but they 
were not profited by him on account of 
his lengthy speeches. Robert was 
again chosen, and by degrees he ac- 
quired confidence, and performed his 
duties satisfactorily. 

His first attempt at public speaking 
was made while from home, on a busi- 
ness visit to Connelsville. He stopped 
at the house of Rev. Jacob Gurwell, a 
local preacher, who resided near Chest- 
nut Ridge, about ten miles east of 
Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland county. 
While there, Mr. Gurwell had a meet- 
ing at the house of James Stevenson, 
Sen. Mr. Gurwell insisted that R. R. 
Roberts should say something to the 
people, by way of exhortation, at the 
conclusion of his sermon. Accordingly, 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 29 

he made the attempt^ and proceeded, 
with great correctness and pathos, to de- 
liver a brief address for the edification 
of the hearers. Not long after com- 
mencing, an aged Christian, Mr. M'Lean, 
looked very intently at the young ex- 
horter, which so confused him, that in 
a short time he desisted, supposing the 
earnest gaze was an expression of dis- 
approval of his intolerable blunders ; 
whereas, the venerable Christian was 
struck at the able and unexpected per- 
formance of the incipient essayist. This 
was his first public effort by way of ex- 
hortation ; and it furnishes an example 
both of his ability and great diffidence, 
which diffidence seems to have been in- 
nate, as it remained with him more or 
less through life, even until he finished 
his course."- — Elliofs Life, 

His sister Elizabeth was married in 



30 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

August of this year^, and he resided 
again \Yith his father, continuing his 
usual course of hfe. But having a 
farm and cabin, and feehng a degree of 
independence as to temporal affairs, it 
seems he turned his thoughts on the 
propriety of selecting a partner for Hfe. 
Proceeding to Ligonier^ in January, 
1799, he was married to Miss Ehza- 
beth Oldham, with whom he had formed 
an acquaintance before his settlement 
in Shenango. He was but a few months 
over twenty years old at the time of his 
marriage ; and except for his experience 
in life, and a maturity beyond his years, 
we might be led to condemn the step. 
But there is no reason to believe that he 
acted hastily, or that it was the result 
of a wild passion. Mrs. Roberts was 
about three years his senior, and had 
many qualifications to make up for what 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 31 

would seem to be his lack of experience. 
The happiness of their married life is 
sufficient proof that it was in the fear 
of God. 

About two weeks after his marriage, 
he set out with his wife for Shenango, 
and we find him at once estabhshed on 
his farm, and busily engaged in his 
daily labors. He held the post of class- 
leader in the Httle society, and continued 
to give evidences to all about that God 
designed him for a more important 
position in his vineyard. This fact was 
more and more impressed on his con- 
science. He would frequently leave his 
plow, and retiring into the forest, 
mount a log, or stump, addressing the 
trees as his congregation. At times his 
spirit was greatly depressed, and his 
regular work laid aside, that he might 
spend whole hours in prayer. He 



32 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

seemed not disposed to disobey the 
directions of the Spirit, from a lack of 
devotedness to the cause of Christ ; but 
when he looked at his own weakness, 
lack of talents, and imperfect education, 
he shrank from the task from a feeling 
of his utter incompetence for the great 
work. His sister Ehzabeth, in whom he 
had great confidence, detected the cause 
of his depression, and urged him to enter 
at once on the performance of his duty. 

Some time in the summer of 1800 
he was licensed to exhort by the Rev. 
Thornton Fleming, It does not appear 
that. he sought for this position, but it 
was given at the advice of friends, 
to incite him to duty, and he made lit- 
tle or no use of the license. He ex- 
horted once in the spring of 1801, at a 
meeting held by James Quinn, with 
great success, i^fter this attempt he 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 33 

was often solicited to exhort^ but in- 
variably declined, and finally became 
very unhappy from the conviction that 
he was not in the line of duty. 

His first sermon was preached late in 
the winter, or early in the spring of 
1802 ; and he preached several times 
in the same neighborhood afterward. 
Directed by the preachers, he attended 
a quarterly meeting at Holmes's meet- 
ing-house, on West Wheehng circuit, 
when he was licensed to preach, and 
at the same time was recommended to 
the annual conference as a proper per- 
son to enter into the itinerant ranks. 
These steps were taken at the pressing 
exhortations of friends in the ministry, 
who seemed to see, much more plainly 
than he did, that he could have no hap- 
piness while he continued to disobey 
the call of the Lord. 

3 



34 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

His recommendation came before the 
Baltimore Conference at its session held 
in Aprils 1802. He was admitted on 
probation;, and appointed to Carlisle cir- 
cuity as assistant to James Smith. 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 35 



CHAPTEE in. 

MR. ROBERTS IN THE ITINERANT WORK- 
ON CIRCUITS. 

Mr. Roberts was now nearly twenty- 
four years of age, and notwithstanding 
his limited education and natural diffi- 
dence, had many valuable qualifications 
for the labors of an itinerant preacher. 
His knowledge of human nature, and 
the customs and wants of the people, 
from the poor, toiling pioneer to the in- 
dependent farmer, was large ; his kind- 
ness of heart, and well-sustained piety, 
joined with a ripeness of judgment far 
beyond what is commonly found at his 
age, indicated to those who knew him, 
that he would make his mark in his 
profession. Although he lacked much 



36 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

of the knowledge which is taught in 
the schools^ yet we would commit a 
great error if we set him down as a 
man of slight information or unculti- 
vated mind. He had read few books, 
but they were of the right stamp. The 
Bible, Fletcher's and Wesley's works, 
are no ordinary books to give a bold 
and enlarged training to the intellect, 
no less than to convey a large view of 
all important moral questions. The 
small number of his books had fed his 
mind, not surfeited it. He had read 
less than many others, but thought 
more. The calm and even movement 
of his mind was worth more than the 
rapidity with which some reach conclu- 
sions. 

As soon as Mr. Roberts was aware 
of his admission on trial by the confer- 
ence, and appointment, he disposed of 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. Si 

his personal property by sale and gift, 
and set out for Carlisle circuit. Him- 
self and wife crossed the mountains on 
horseback, and fixed their permanent 
home for the year at York, Pennsyl- 
vania, with Mrs. Roberts's mother. The 
circuit, like all of that day, was very 
large, comprising about thirty appoint- 
ments to be filled every four weeks by 
each of the preachers. 

Difficulties met him at the outset. 
The small-pox and measles were pre- 
vaihng at York, and he was afflicted 
with both. He lost both his horses, 
which were no small portion of his prop- 
erty. But he engaged with great zeal 
in the work, and at some appointments 
they were favored with gracious revi- 
vals. He soon acquired reputation as a 
preacher of first-rate abihties, which in 
that day designated one who was skill- 



38 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

ful in winning souls and confirming be- 
lievers in the faith. 

Camp-meetings, at this time, were a 
novelty, and very popular. Often at 
these meetings there would be shout- 
ing, and people would fall down. These 
things so confused him, that his embar- 
rassment was evident to all, and gave 
some offense, but did not injure him 
with the mass, for his piety was beyond 
suspicion. The success of his labors 
inspired him with a greater degree of 
confidence, although he still felt more 
at ease when addressing a small com- 
pany. 

He was a poor man, and the allow- 
ance for a preacher and his family was 
very small. Had it not been that his 
wife's necessities were supplied, partly 
by her own industry, and partly by 
the kindness of her excellent mother, 



LIFE OF BOBEET K. ROBEKTS. 39 



the prospect would have been dreary 
enough ; as it was^ they were barely able 
to live without feeling the pressure of 
poverty. 

His second year in the itinerancy was 
spent on Montgomery circuit, in Mary- 
land. The labors on this circuit were 
much more arduous than on the former, 
but they were performed cheerfully. 
There were appointments for preaching 
and meeting the classes on nearly every 
week day ; besides the societies of 
whites, there were many of blacks : 
these had to be attended to at night. 
At the end of six months Mr. Roberts's 
colleague, according to a custom quite 
prevalent at that time, was changed to 
another circuit, and the additional labor 
of having charge of the circuit devolved 
upon him. 

On this circuit he made the acquaint- 



40 LIFE OF EGBERT R. ROBERTS. 

ance of some German societies^ called 
Otterbeins, after Mr. Otterbein, a preach- 
er of the German Reformed Church. 
These Christians, both in doctrine and 
Church government, had a striking re- 
semblance to the Methodists. Mr. 
Roberts often preached for them, and 
enjoyed himself in their Christian com- 
munion. He regretted to the end of 
his life that no steps were taken to 
form a union with them, as it would 
have resulted in the great body of the 
Pennsylvania Germans being connect- 
ed with our Church, much to the ad- 
vantage of each body. But the preachers 
of that day were much more intent on 
saving souls, than forming a great eccle- 
siastical body, which should cover the 
whole United States. 

The year's labor was not without de- 
cided tokens of success, for at the last 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 41 

quarterly meeting many were converted, 
and the revival spread through the cir- 
cuit. This could not but have been 
gratifying to Mr. Roberts, convincing 
him that his call was of God. 

The Baltimore Conference for 1804 
held its session in Alexandria, Bishop 
Asbury presiding, aided by Dr. Coke. 
Mr. Roberts was present, and having 
served two years on probation with 
great satisfaction, he was admitted into 
full connection, and ordained deacon by 
Bishop Asbury. His ministerial quali- 
fications had already begun to attract 
the attention of his brethren, and he 
was looked upon as a man of more than 
ordinary promise. It is scarcely possi- 
ble that he should not have perceived 
this himself, but it produced no self- 
approbation, for he remained as diffident 
as ever. 



42 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

The bishop stationed him on Fred- 
eric circuit, Maryland, which embraced 
in its appointments the place of his 
birth. He did not immediately go to 
his field of labor, but proceeded to Bal- 
timore, to attend the session of the 
General Conference as a visitor. The 
conference was one of great interest. 
The whole book of Discipline was re- 
viewed and revised, caUing forth much 
valuable discussion. Here he was per- 
mitted to see the fathers of Methodism 
in America — Coke, Asbury, Whatcoat, 
Garrettson, Lee, Cooper, and others of 
equal abilities and labors — men of great 
minds and greater faith, who would 
have shed honor on the Church in any 
age. 

The General Conference having ad- 
journed, he established himself on his 
circuit, and commenced the ordinary 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 43 

round of labors. There is no record of 
any peculiar success attending his efforts 
on this circuity but we are not^ therefore, 
to form the conclusion that he labored 
in vain. For some reason there was 
no congregation at Harper's Ferry, al- 
though it was provided with a regular 
appointment. The people would not 
come together to hear preaching. A 
devoted Christian lady, however, suc- 
ceeded in assembling a large company 
of her own sex at a quilting, at the 
place and time of his appointment. He 
preached with such admirable effect, 
that at his next appointment, and to the 
close of the year, he always had a large 
and attentive congregation. 

Toward the close of the year, in com- 
pany with Mrs. Roberts, he made a visit 
to his friends and relatives in Shenango. 
His stay was short ; but Mrs. Roberts 



44 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

remained until the following confer- 
ence. 

His next appointment was to She- 
nango circuit, which was very large, 
having appointments both in Pennsyl- 
vania and in Ohio. The circuit did not 
include his farm, where his wife resided, 
and which he considered his home. 
There was not, at this time, regular 
preaching in Pittsburgh, and at the re- 
quest of some of the members, he con- 
sented to serve them. He commenced 
his labor in much opposition from the 
world, but soon gained the good will of 
the public, and was successful in build- 
ing up the society. 

At the close of the secoiM quarterly 
meeting he was transferred to Erie cir- 
cuit by his presiding elder. This was 
done for his own personal accommoda- 
tion, as he was making some improve- 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 45 

ments on his farm, with the hope of 
better providing for his wants as an 
itinerant preacher. He spent what 
time he could spare from his many 
labors on the circuit in erecting a mill. 
Some of the members thought it absorbed 
time that should be spent in attending 
to the interests of the Church, and quite 
an outcry was made against it. Mr. Rob- 
erts himself, in after years, condemned 
the course he pursued in devoting this 
portion of his time to secular affairs. 
He said, " It embarrassed my mind, and 
took up my attention ; and, though for 
a time it did well, it eventually proved 
a loss." The year, however, was 
brought to a close with marked suc- 
cess. 

The Baltimore Conference for 1806 
was held in the city of Baltimore. Mr. 
Roberts attended, and was advanced to 



46 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

elders' orders. He was returned to 
Erie circuit. The circuit was large even 
for that day, including all the territory 
now known as the Erie Conference, ex- 
cept the portion in the State of New- 
York. The appointments were arranged 
so as to be visited by each preacher 
once in six weeks. Large as was this 
field of labor, he extended its bound- 
aries with the true missionary spirit, 
adding several appointments in different 
directions. 

He also paid some attention to his 
farm property. The cabin which he had 
built in former years had decayed, and 
he erected in the place of it what was 
called among the early settlers a double 
cabin, two rooms, built of logs, with an 
open hall between, the whole covered 
with a single roof. This simple dwell- 
ing satisfied him, when he was raised to 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 47 

the highest honors of the Church. He 
was always an humble^ unpretending 
man, and his personal wants were easily 
satisfied. His improvement of the farm 
is not to be interpreted by a desire to 
become rich, but to aid him in supply- 
ing the plainest necessities of life ; for 
in that day the allowance given to the 
preachers was by no means sufficient 
for even that purpose. 

The conference of 1807 appointed 
Mr. Roberts to the Pittsburgh circuit. 
It took in a wide sweep of territory, 
and gave free scope for all the varied 
employments of an itinerant life. The 
society in Pittsburgh was small, and 
had, up to this point, very sHght success ; 
indeed, it had been dropped, ft-om some 
cause, out of the plan of the appoint- 
ments. It was now taken in again, and 
Mr. Roberts preached in the upper story 



48 LIFE OF EGBERT R. ROBERTS. 



of an old warehouse. By his prudence, 
mildness, and aptness at conciHatlon, he 
soon arranged the disquieting elements, 
and laid the foundation of an increasing 
prosperity. 

The year was one of unusual toil ; for 
his colleague, appointed by the bishop, 
did not accept the appointment, and a 
young man, appointed to supply the de- 
ficiency, proved in a short time unworthy 
of his religious professions. He enjoyed 
but little of the comforts of domestic 
life, his family residing in Shenango, to 
which place he could pay but few and 
hurried visits. 

When the year drew to a close, he 
concluded not to attend the annual con- 
ference, that he might give some atten- 
tion to his domestic affairs, and also 
with a view of securing time to attend 
the approaching General Conference. 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 49 

At the conference^ charges were brought 
against him for not giving proper atten- 
tion to his circuit appointments ; and he 
received a communication from the sec- 
retary reproving him for his dehnquency. 
He received this in a proper spirit^ al- 
though he was well convinced that, if the 
conference had been well informed in the 
matter, their decision would have been 
different. 

Mr. Roberts was appointed to the 
West Wheeling circuit by this confer- 
ence. Mrs. Roberts lived with an aunt 
near Cadiz, Ohio. He was very poor, 
having expended all his money, except 
fifty cents, in moving to his circuit. 
After passing nearly the second round, 
and before the first quarterly meeting, 
he had to leave for the General Confer- 
ence. He started for Baltimore with 
only one dollar in his pocket, but with 
4 



50 LIFE OF ROBEPvT R. PvOBERTS. 



that economy and foresight which the 
preachers practiced, and the universal 
kindness shown to them by friends, he 
reached the city, having five cents re- 
maining in his purse. 

He lodged with Mr. Thornburg, a 
member of the Church, who saw in the 
coarsely clad itinerant one worthy of 
his highest esteem. The good friends 
presented him some new clothes. He 
preached during the session of the con- 
ference with great acceptance. 

This General Conference was one of 
the most important ever held. The 
plan for a delegated General Conference 
was passed after a great struggle. The 
question of electing presiding elders, 
rather than have them appointed by the 
bishops, was discussed and lost. Mr. 
Roberts was much interested and in- 
structed by his intercourse with the 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 51 

leading men of our denomination, and his 
participation in the conference business. 
It may be of some interest to know that 
he voted to make the office of presiding 
elders elective ; but in after years his 
opinions^ in the light of more experi- 
ence, changed. 

After the conference had closed its 
session, Mr. Roberts made his way back 
to his circuit, and again entered heartily 
into the daily toil of an itinerant. We 
have no particular account of the re- 
sult; but he won the affection of his 
brethren, and the esteem of the world. 
But when has it been otherwise ? Those 
who labor in the vineyard of the Lord 
do not toil in vain, if they enter in a 
right spirit, and diligently engage in the 
work, with a firm reliance on the assist- 
ance of the Holy Spirit. 



62 LIFE OF EOBEET E. K0BEET5. 



CHAPTEE IV. 

MR. ROBERTS IX STATIOyS THE PRESIDING 

ELDERSHIP HIS ELECTION TO THE EPIS- 
COPACY. 

Mr. Roberts was quietly pursuing his 
work on West Wheeling circuity in Xo- 
vember, 1808. when he was startled by 
a letter from Bishop Asburv, instruct- 
ing him to repair to Baltimore. This 
unexpected summons was not favorably 
received, for he considered himself al- 
together incompetent for a city station, 
and; besides this, he had no money to 
defray his expenses in the transfer. 
Therefore, he concluded not to go. 
Bishop Asbury wrote again, insisting on 
the change, and sending a preacher to 
supply his place on the circuit. Some 



LIFE OF ROBEET R. ROBERTS. 53 

expressions in the letter from the good 
bishop, who seems to have interpreted 
jMr. Roberts diffidence by a disposition 
to indolence^ greatly wounded him^ and 
at first he resolved to remoye to his 
farm. 

But the good sense of his faithful 
wife interposed with seasonable advice 
and encouragement, and he prepared for 
the removal. He arrived at Baltimore, 
and commenced labor in his new 
position a little before Christmas. 

The appointment of Mr. Roberts to 
Baltimore was a proof that his talents 
as a preacher were of no ordinary char- 
acter, and that as a man he rapidly 
gained the esteem and love of those 
with whom he associated. His preach- 
ing abilities had attracted the attention 
of the Baltimore Methodists no less than 
his genial nature, or they would scarcely 



54 LIFE OF ROBEET E. EOBEETS, 



have solicited his removal from so dis- 
tant a point in the conference. So, also^ 
Bishop Asburv. although ever ready to 
please his many warm friends in the me- 
tropoHs of Methodism, would not have 
yielded to their wishes, unless he had 
been vrell persuaded that the man of 
their choice had both gifts and graces 
to fit him for the position. 

The appointment was, therefore, in 
every respect honorable, even flattering, 
to Mr. Roberts. Here was a man, com- 
paratively young, of but few years' ex- 
perience in the ministry, deficient in 
the education of the schools, diffident to 
a fault, and without anv advantacces of 
personal appearance, fiUing one of the 
first appointments in the Church. Xor 
is it strange that he should hesitate to 
accept such a position, when we remem- 
ber that so far his social life had been 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 55 

spent in the Western forests, and had 
developed after the pioneer models 
around him. He was now to move 
among the refinements of city hfe ; for 
there were refinements even among the 
Methodists, and conventionahties quite 
different from those in vogue among 
the Western people. He was to occupy 
pulpits held in veneration from having 
been occupied by men of the most vigor- 
ous minds and glowing eloquence. His 
very diffidence is proof that he was not 
altogether unworthy of the place, and is 
the key, in part, to his success. None 
but a pure mind, with great natural 
gifts, could have stood the ordeal. He 
was not only equal to it, but it became, 
unconsciously to himself, the very school 
necessary to the position in which he 
was afterward placed. 

Mr. Roberts served the people so 



56 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

satisfactorily^ that the conference of 1809 
returned him to the Baltimore station. 
Thisj in the lack of any detailed account 
of his labors^ is to be taken as the 
measure of his acceptance and success. 

His next appointment, in 1810, was 
at Fell's Point. Here he served the 
people with much success, not only 
filling the pulpit with acceptance, but 
giving great attention to the business 
affairs of the station. He had during 
the year some difficulty with Rev. 
Alexander M'Cain, who afterward be- 
came so bitter an enemy of Methodism. 
The matter was brought before the an- 
nual conference, and Mr. Roberts was 
sustained in the course he had pursued. 

The conference of 1811 stationed Mr. 
Roberts at Alexandria. We have no 
information of his work there, except 
that he was laborious and faithful as a 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. o1 



pastor and preacher. He formed quite 
an intimate acquaintance with the Prot- 
estant ministers of the place, and fre- 
quently exchanged sermons with them. 

In 1812 he was stationed in George- 
town^ District of Columbia, While there 
he visited President Madison twice ; on 
one of these occasions he laid aside the 
formahties usual on such occasions^ and 
terminated his visit by offering a prayer 
for the president and his wife. During 
the year he made a short visit to She- 
nango. Returning, he brought his 
nepheWj George Roberts, with him, 
who was adopted as a son, and filled a 
place in the household which hitherto 
had been vacant. 

The years 1813 and 181-4 were spent 
in Philadelphia, Yv^illiam Hunter and 
John Emory being among his colleagues. 
He was received by the people with 



58 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 



every mark of respect, and treated with 
the greatest kindness. During these 
years he preached several charity ser- 
mons in various churches ; officiating 
in this character no less than three 
times in Presbyterian churches. The 
reader must have already remarked that 
Mr. Roberts always cultivated social re- 
lations with the ministers and members 
of all evangehcal denominations. He 
was entirely free from bigotry and secta- 
rianism, readv to dve his hand and 
open his heart to every true follower of 
his Saviour, by whatever name he might 
be called. 

In the faU of 1814 he visited the 
West^ being absent from his station three 
or four months. He traveled into the 
State of Indiana, where he afterward 
fixed his residence. The object, how- 
ever, was not to select a place of resi- 



LIFE OF EGBERT E, EOBEFTS. 59 

dencGj but to visit a brother who had 
moved there. 

The Philadelphia Conference of 1815^ 
to which conference Mr. Roberts was 
now attached, appointed him to the 
Schuylkill District. The district was 
large, embracing, as prominent appoint- 
ments. Philadelphia and Lancaster, in 
Pennsylvania, and Wilmington in Dela- 
ware. His residence was in Philadel- 
phia, in the parsonage of St. George's 
Church. There is sufficient evidence 
that he served the Church, in the over- 
sight of the district, with his usual effi- 
ciency, endearing himself to preachers 
and people. 

The Philadelphia Conference was to 
hold its next session in Philadelphia, 
April IS. 1S16, Bishop Asbury had 
died on the last day of March, and 
Bishop M'Kendree was so unwell as 



60 LIFE OF EGBERT R. ROBERTS. 

not to attend to all his official duties. 
When the conference met it was with- 
out a presiding officer, and as no one 
had been appointed by the bishop^ he 
was to be elected by the members of 
conference. Mr. Roberts, though he was 
young for such a position, and had been 
but three years connected with the con- 
ference, received the highest number of 
votes, and presided with marked ability. 
He was also elected a delegate to the 
General Conference, which was to meet 
in Baltimore a few days after. 

When the General Conference met, no 
fact pressed itself more upon their no- 
tice than the absence of Asbury, upon 
whom they had ever looked as a father, 
but who now slept the sleep of death. 
The health of Bishop M'Kendree was so 
much impaired, that fears were in their 
minds lest his valuable services should 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 61 

be soon lost to them. The vacancy oc- 
casioned by the death of Asbury must 
be filled, and aid must be granted to 
Bishop M'Kendree. This was the view 
of the matter taken by the committee 
on the episcopacy. They reported ad- 
vising the election and consecration of 
two additional bishops. The report was 
adopted by the conference, and a day 
named for the election. 

No point in our history as a Church 
demanded more wisdom than a proper 
selection of men for this important 
office. Already, in some parts of the 
Church, murmurs were being made 
against the great powers vested in 
this office ; not that these powers had 
been wrested from their legitimate de- 
sign for harm, but it was felt, that if 
they were lodged in the hands of one 
who was not thoroughly imbued with the 



62 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

spirit of Christy and love for our pecu- 
liar Church polity^ great harm might be 
done. The Church was beginning to 
awake to a sense of the position Provi- 
dence had given to it among other de- 
nominations, and all saw that great 
success awaited it, should it prove true 
to its trust. Such thoughts revolved 
in many minds, as they cast their eyes 
about to see if there were men fully 
qualified for this high post. 

The members from the Northern States 
were not long in coming to a decision; 
indeed, it is probable that they had 
already decided that one man at least 
could claim their votes. Many of the 
Northern delegates, on their way to Bal- 
timore, had been present at the Phila- 
delphia Conference, and saw Mr. Roberts 
preside over that body. His dignified 
manner, mildness, and clear judgment, 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 63 

united to the most unmistakable piety^ 
had impressed their minds that he had 
superior quahfications for the office of a 
bishop. The election took place on the 
fourteenth day of May. The Northern 
delegates selected Mr. Roberts as their 
candidate, and he was elected. The 
election was particularly gratifying to 
the Western members. They knew 
his worth, and were confident that they 
would be honored in the correctness of 
his administration of the office. 

The day set apart for consecration to 
the office was the seventeenth of May. 
In the interval between his election and 
ordination, Mr. Roberts seems to have 
passed through a severe mental conflict. 
He did not at first get the consent of 
his mind and conscience to accept the 
position. He could not but behove that 
his brethren had formed altogether too 



64 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

high an opinion of his qualifications for 
the post ; and he feared that if he accept- 
ed, he would entirely fail to meet their 
expectations. While these thoughts 
were giving him great unquiet^ he 
sought his old friend, James Quinn, 
whO; on a former occasion, had been a 
successful adviser, and acquainted him 
with the state of his mind. He could 
not have selected a more faithful friend 
or intelligent counselor. His doubts 
were all removed, and he accepted the 
call of the Church as the will of his 
Master; accepted the office from their 
hands, and looked to the source of all 
grace for strength to perform its duties. 
He was consecrated to the office by 
Bishop M'Kendree, assisted by Phillip 
Bruce, Nelson Reid, and William Phoe- 
bus, on the 17th of May, 1816. 

Fromx this time forward, then, we are 



LIFE OF ROBEET E. EOBEETS. 65 

to trace his course over the whole field 
of American Methodism. The young 
pioneer we have seen advancing step 
by step, always restrained by his diffi- 
dence, from class-leader to exhorter, lo- 
cal preacher, itinerant. In the itinerancy 
we have seen him rising from a Western 
circuit to the position of a stationed 
preacher in two of our largest cities, 
where the talent of the Church is con- 
centrated ; from the station, he enters 
upon the presiding elder's duties ; from 
thence he passes into the episcopacy. 
He is in the prime of life — thirty-eight 
years old — and having acquitted him- 
self to the satisfaction of others in these 
lower grades, we have no fears to fol- 
low his course. 

5 



66 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 



CHAPTEE Y. 

BISHOP ROBERTS'S EARLIER LABORS IN 
THE EPISCOPACY. 

Bishop Roberts returned to Philadel- 
phia after the close of the session of the 
General Conference^ and after mature 
consideration^ concluded to make his 
residence^ as far as an itinerant may 
be said to have a residence^ in the 
West. Early associations, no less than 
the interests of the Church, and per- 
sonal pecuniary considerations, com- 
bined to this conclusion. It was, 
moreover, due to the West, in which 
Methodism was so rapidly extending, 
that one of the bishops should be among 
them in his leisure hours. 

Bishops Asbury, Whatcoat, and 



LIFE OF KOBERT B. ROBERTS. 67 

M'Kendree^ had no place which they 
could with propriety call home, although 
a thousand doors opened with a joyful 
welcome at their approach. Bishop 
George^ elected at the same time with 
Bishop Roberts, was a widower, so we 
may say that Bishop Roberts was our 
first married bishop. Provision had 
been made by a law of the General 
Conference to defray the necessary ex- 
penses of the bishop's family, but he 
felt a reluctance to draw upon the 
scanty profits of the Book Concern. 
There seems to be evidence that till 
the year 1819 he drew nothing from 
this fund beyond the allowance of two 
hundred dollars, and his necessary trav- 
eling expenses. 

As the means of communication in 
that day were principally on horseback, 
Mrs. Roberts could not well travel with 



68 LIFE OF ROBEKT B. ROBERTS. 

her husband ; they concluded^ therefore^ 
that she should occupy the old cabin on 
his farm at Shenango^ and when he Avas 
not engaged with his episcopal duties^ 
he could profitably cultivate the land. 
Thus^ by their combined labors^ an in- 
dependence would be reahzed. They 
therefore proceeded to Baltimore as the 
point from which their steps should be 
directed to the West. At Baltimore 
his friends procured for his use Bishop 
Asbury's carriage and traveling trunk; 
his two horses were attached to the 
carriage^ and they started on their 
journey. 

They arrived in safety at the farm ; 
but as the house and grounds were in 
bad repair^ and his duties demanded 
that he should leave home on a tour to 
the South^ to meet the conferences, he 
left Mrs. Roberts at Cadiz; Ohio, with 



LIFE OF EGBERT R. ROBERTS. 69 

his relations^ until he should return in 
the spring. This first tour was by no 
means a pleasant one. The traveling 
was all on horseback^ over the most 
miserable roads^ in the wet season of 
the year, subjecting the traveler to hard- 
ships and exposure almost incredible. 
He Vv^as attacked with the fever and 
ague, and was for a time sick among 
the Indians. At Port Gibson he re- 
mained several weeks, a portion of the 
time being dangerously ill This uncom- 
plaining bearing of toil won the hearts 
of his fellow-laborers. They saw his 
great devotion, and entered on their 
labors with renewed zeal. 

Before his return Mrs. Roberts had 
moved to Shenango, and, with labor 
and an energy which always marked 
her movements, had prepared their home 
for his reception. 



VO LIFE OF EGBERT R. ROBERTS. 

Bishop Roberts kept no journals, and 
it is impossible for us to give that ac- 
count of his labors that would be grati- 
fying to the reader. Nor is it possible 
to gain the information from any other 
source. We shall not, then, be able to 
trace his path step by step, but only 
get an occasional glance. This is the 
more to be regretted, for he gained a 
firm hold on many hearts. 

During the autumn of 1817, accom- 
panied by Mrs. Roberts, he made a visit 
to Indiana, in the neighborhood in which 
his brother lived. He seems at this 
time to have determined to make this 
part of the West his residence, and pur- 
chased a small, unimproved piece of 
land. 

He did not suffer any personal de- 
signs to interfere in the least with his 
official duties. Those were performed 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 71 

at all hazards^, and in the midst of many- 
toils and privations. It is said that dur- 
ing his travels in this or the following 
year^ he lay out during the whole night, 
having to hold his horse all the while, 
lest he should run off. His diffidence 
was so great, that when he was without 
money, and in a part of the country in 
which he had no personal acquaintances, 
he would make any shifts rather than 
make his circumstances known. 

There are many anecdotes relating to 
his unobtrusive manners. He would 
stay with a family over night, or in a 
village over Sabbath, introducing himself 
as a simple itinerant preacher. Some- 
times it gave him an acquaintance with 
preachers and people which was very 
annoying to them, having revealed some 
phase in their character of which they 
would havf' had him remain ignorant. 



'72 LIFE OF KOBEET K. EGBERTS. 

One of these occurrences has been fre- 
quently published ; but we will repeat it 
here^ for it gives us a clear view of his 
kindness and diffidence. 

As the bishop was wending his way 
to or from a conference^ he applied for 
entertainment^ and a night's rest, at a 
house to which he had been recom- 
mended. His dress and manner gave 
no indication of his official station, and 
supper being over, no one inquired if 
he had already partaken. The circuit 
preacher, young and vain, indulging in 
levity, was stopping at the same house. 
He seemed quite attentive to the young 
ladies, and even had the hardihood to 
allude contemptuously to " the old man 
in the corner." The bishop, after sitting 
a while, and receiving no attentions, re- 
quested to be shown to bed. The 
room he occupied was over the family 



LIFE OF ROBEET R. ROBERTS. IS 



roonij and the jests and laughter of the 
young preacher and his companions 
were distinctly heard. At last the 
young preacher retired without family 
worship, and made his appearance in 
the same room in which the bishop 
slept. Having laid down without pray- 
er, something like the following conver- 
sation took place. 

^^Well, old man, are you asleep yet?" 

" I am not, sir," rephed the bishop. 

"Where have you come from?" 

" From east of the mountains." 

"Prom east of the mountains, eh! 
from what place ?" 

"Baltimore, sir." 

" Baltimore, eh ! the seat of our Gen- 
eral Conference. Did you hear any- 
thing about it ? We expect Bishop 
Roberts to stop here on his way 
home." 



74 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 



Yes, sir/' replied the bishop, in his 
usual quiet manner; "it ended before 
I left the city." 

" Did you ever see Bishop Roberts ?" 

"Yes, sir, often. We left Baltimore 
in company." 

" You left Baltimore together ?" 

"Yes, sir." 

" What is your name, my old friend ?" 
" Roberts, sir." 

" Roberts ! Roberts ! Excuse me, 
sir. Are you related to the bishop ?" 

" They usually call me Bishop Rob- 
erts, sir." 

" Bishop Roberts ! Bishop Roberts ! 
Are you Bishop Roberts, sir?" exclaimed 
the young preacher, embarrassed and 
confounded, yet trembling with excite- 
ment. He implored the bishop's par- 
don with tears, and begged to be allowed 
to call up the family. This the bishop 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 75 



would not allow. But he gave the 
young man some affectionate admoni- 
tions^ which he could never forget. 
The preacher confessed his errors and 
backshdden condition^, and the good 
bishop prayed with him. 

The next morning he rose early^ and 
after praying again with his young 
friendj he set out on his journey, that 
he might save the family the mortifica- 
tion of an explanation of their conduct. 

Bishop Roberts never told the name 
of the young preacher, for he reformed, 
and has since become an eminent and 
useful minister. 

In the early part of 1818 the bishop 
started on a tour to the East, for the 
first time visiting the New-York, New- 
England, and Genesee Conferences. 
He returned home in the summer by a 
new route through the forests, for three 



76 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

days haying no food but strawberries. 
The probabihty is, that his money gave 
out, and he chose to hve in this pioneer 
style rather than throw himself upon 
the hospitality of strangers. 

In jSToyember, 1819, he packed up 
his goods to remove from Shenango to 
Lawrence county, Indiana. He thought 
that the climate of Southern Indiana 
suited him much better than Pennsyl- 
vania ; besides this, the soil was much 
richer, and would more amply repay his 
toil. His brother Lewis had raised a 
mere shell of a cabin for him, but it 
was as yet without door, chimney, win- 
dows, or floor. But the bishop and his 
nephews went to work with a right 
good will, and it was soon made habit- 
able. Three acres of land were cleared, 
and sown in wheat, to give them bread 
in the coming summer. During the 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 11 

winter ten acres more were cleared off, 
to be planted in corn in the spring. 

In the spring Bishop Roberts had to 
set off for the East to attend the con- 
ferences^ but Mrs. Roberts;, as was the 
custom of the day in the West^ went 
into the field, and aided in the daily- 
farm labor. Their success was equal to 
their most sanguine expectations. 

In 1820j while pursuing his episco- 
pal labors, he was so afflicted with the 
fever and ague, that he was compelled 
to desist from his work, and was brought 
home sick. But freedom from exposure, 
and quiet, aiding his naturally vigorous 
constitution, soon restored him. His 
spare time was spent on the farm. 

For several years we are not able to 
give any detailed account of his labors, 
but it is known that he attended faith- 
fully to all his duties. As he passed 



78 LIFE OF EGBERT R. ROBERTS. 

from place to place^ he was always 
called upon to preach; indeed^ some- 
times the people would not be satisfied 
with a single sermon^ but if he had no 
pressing engagements^ he was compelled 
to stay several days^ and preach a num- 
ber of times. There was something 
so simple in his ways^ something so 
genial in his piety, that every one loved 
him. His sermons were lucid expo- 
sitions of the passage selected as the 
text, enforced with a sweetness and 
earnestness that commanded the atten- 
tion of the most cultivated minds. His 
prayers were often so fervent and strik- 
ing in their appeals, as to thrill through 
the souls of the entire congregation, in- 
spiring them with zeal and faith. 

The following incident, which was 
narrated by him to Bishop Morris, will 
serve to illustrate a phase in his charac- 



LIFE OF EGBERT K. KOBERTS. 19 



ter to which we have ah^eacly referred. 
We will somewhat abbreviate it^ sOj how- 
ever, as to preserve the facts and its in- 
terest. 

Traveling on a road with which he 
was unacqnaintedj he was advised to put 
up with a man who proved to be an ex- 
emplary local preacher, but to whom he 
was a stranger. Supper having been 
obtained, the man lighted a lantern, say- 
ing to the bishop, that if he wished to 
retire before he returned, he could take 
a bed in an adjoining room, as he was 
going to ^' meeting." 

" What sort of a meeting is it ?" 

^' It is what we Methodists call a 
class-meeting," answered the man. 

1 should like to go along," said the 
bishop, if it would not be intrud- 
ing." 

" No intrusion at all," was the reply ; 



80 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 



" we allow serious persons to attend 
class-meetings a few times, without be- 
coming members, if they wish." 

They walked to the class-meeting, 
which was well attended. But the 
leader was a young man of much more 
zeal than knowledge. Having spoken 
to the members, he addressed the 
bishop. 

Well, stranger, have you any desire 
to serve the Lord, and get to heaven ?" 

I have such a desire," answered the 
bishop. 

" How long have you had such a de- 
sire r 

"1 cannot say precisely how long, 
but for many years," was the response. 

^' Well, do you think, old gentle- 
man, that you know anything about 
the enjoyment of experimental re- 
ligion?" 



LIFE OF ROBEET R. ROBERTS. 81 



At this point the bishop spoke more 
freely, expressing his sense of a pardon- 
ing God, and a hope that, notwithstand- 
ing his past unfaithfulness, he would 
gain heaven, through the mercies of the 
Saviour. 

The leader closed the class, and the 
members returned home. Before he re- 
tired for the night he told his name, at 
the request of his host. The result was 
his staying among them two days, 
preaching several times. 

In the summer of 1822, he set to 
work to furnish himself a better dwell- 
ing, and planned a hewed log-house, 
which was completed about a year and 
a half after. Some may think it strange 
that a man who had received the high- 
est honors of the Church, should content 
himself to live in a common log-house, 
dress so plainly, and engage in heavy 

6 



82 LIFE OF ROBEET R. ROBERTS. 

work on a farm, when not otherwise oc- 
cupied. We take it as a proof of his 
real worth, and refer to it with almost 
a sense of pride. His was a nobility 
and Christian character that did not 
stand in need of any outward trappings. 

He has been called, not in derision, 
however, " The Log-cabin Bishop." His 
simple manner of life, identifying him 
with the masses of the people of the 
West, has had a most beneficial influ- 
ence on Western Methodism. It was a 
proof of the fitness of our Church gov- 
ernment and organization for those who 
were struggling amid the toils and pri- 
vations of pioneer life. There was no 
lack of true dignity. But it evidenced 
that position and honor could be held, 
without removing its possessor from the 
social sphere of those Avith whom he was 
to labor. This has been, and we hope 



LIFE OF ROEEKT H. ROBERTS. 83 



it ever will be, one of the chiefest honors 
of our Church. 

Three preachers^ in the year 1825, as 
they were on their way to the Indiana 
Conference^ concluded to call at the 
bishop's house, and spend a few hours 
with him. One of these, an EngHsh- 
man, was particularly anxious to see 
the bishop, whose praise was in every 
person's mouth. He had formed his 
notions of a bishop, and what was suit- 
able to his station, from what he had 
seen in England. Judge his surprise, 
if you can, when they brought their 
horses to a halt before a comfortable log= 
cabin, the onlv dwelhns: on a moderate 
sized farm, in a somewhat retired part 
of the country. Mrs. Roberts cheer- 
fully invited them into the house, direct- 
ing them where thev would find sta- 
bling for their horses, saying that the 



84 LIFE OF ROBEET R. ROBERTS. 



bishop was out^ but might be expected 
soon. 

The Englishman waited with some 
degree of patience^ and a shght bewil- 
derment^ striving to form a conception 
of the man who had received the honors 
of the Church. At length it is an- 
nounced that he is coming. His curi- 
osity leads him to look out ; he sees no 
bishop^ although a man is coming across 
the meadow. ^^But/' says one of his 
companions^ that is the bishop." No^ 
no he rephes with warmth ; " that 
cannot be ; for the man is in his shirt 
sleeves." 

But the man comes in, is intro- 
duced, and the remarks upon him are re- 
lated ; he enters into a cheerful, intelli- 
gent conversation with them, and even 
the Enghshman is compelled to confess 
that he is no common man, although he 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 85 

falls SO far short in appearance from 
what he had imagined. 

We give these incidents in the life of 
Bishop Roberts^ because we would give 
an impression of him as he was ; and 
if they disturb our conceptions of the 
dignity of the office he held^ or differ 
from the portrait of the man formed by 
our imagination^ no harm will be done 
by returning to the facts. 

In the winter of 1825 and 1826, 
Bishop Roberts made a lengthy visit to 
the Southern conferences. This was a 
duty in which many hardships were to 
be borne, and he generally suffered 
from the effects of the Southern climate. 
This tour is memorable as furnishing an 
authentic incident, illustrating his benev- 
olence, which was almost always beyond 
his pecuniary means. 

After meeting the conferences as- 



86 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS 

signed to him, he visited New-Orleans. 
The society there, with very Hmited 
means, were making an effort to build 
a small frame church. The bishop, 
wishing to aid them, sold his horse for 
one hundred dollars, presented the 
whole amount to them, and took pas- 
sage on a steamboat for Louisville, Ken- 
tuck}'. 

On the wa}^, the boat struck a 
snag, in a short time sank, and the 
passengers, happy in having saved their 
lives, spent the night, cold and gloomy, 
on the river bank. The next morn- 
ing the bishop, shouldering his bag- 
gage, set off on foot up the river. At 
the first settlement he spent all his re- 
maining money in purchasing a little 
pony, which soon gave out. He then 
exchanged the pony for a stiff-necked, 
unsaleable horse, and with this animal 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 



87 



made his way to Nashville, Tennessee. 
Here the brethren furnished him with 
a good horse, better equipage, and 
sufficient money to pay his expenses 
home. 



88 LIFE OF EGBERT R. ROBERTS. 



CHAPTER VI. 

BISHOP ROBERTS'S LATER LABORS. 

The Greneral Conference of 1828 de- 
termined to make no additions to the 
bench of bishops. This led M'Kendree, 
Roberts, and Soule^, to express an opin- 
ion that no new conferences ought to be 
formed, for the bishops were not able to 
increase their labors. The death of 
Bishop George in August of the same 
year, made the burden fall heavily on 
Bishops Roberts, Hedding, and Soule, 
for Bishop M'Kendree was too feeble to 
render much assistance. The loss of 
their colleague but seemed to incite 
them to increased labors, for they knew 
that the night was coming to them all 
in which they could do no work. 



LIFE OF EOBEET K. ROBERTS, 89 



Bishop Roberts, as far as we have means 
of information to indicate his labors, was 
not in the least backward to accept the 
increased duties. 

We do not know how great was the 
toil, how much danger stood in the path 
of these devoted men. Bishop Roberts 
was only saved from death, some time in 
1829, by the hand of the Lord. He 
was on a visit to Cincinnati, and had to 
cross the White Water River. The hard 
rains had flooded the river, and the 
ferries were obstructed. A friend pro- 
posed to take him, with some others, 
across the river in a small flat-boat. 
The current was very rapid, and when 
about two thirds of the distance across, 
one of the oars snapped in pieces, leav- 
ing them at the mercy of the waves. 
Just below was a large mass of lodged 
drift-wood, which, should they strike it, 



90 LIFE OF EOBEET R. ROBERTS. 

would cause certain destruction. They 
steered with the remaining oar for a 
clump of large trees near the shore, 
which were partly under water. As 
the boat came in contact with the trees^ 
the force of the raging current against 
the upper side pressed it down, and in 
a moment it was filled with water. The 
bishop let go his horse, driving him 
overboard ; this lightened the boat and 
they succeeded in getting to the shore, 
the boat sinking as it struck against the 
bank. The horse swam down the river 
some distance, and was saved. 

The bishop was calm during all the 
danger, and except for his self-command, 
they would have been lost. " Upon 
our reaching the shore, he quietly 
spread out his handkerchief on the wet 
and muddy ground, and kneeling down, 
several minutes elapsed before his or 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 91 

our own overflowing hearts could give 
utterance to our feelings. He then broke 
out in the beautiful language of the 
forty-sixth Psalm, ^ God is our refuge 
and strength ; a very present help in 
trouble. Therefore will not we fear, 
though the earth be removed, and 
though the mountains be carried into 
the midst of the sea ; though the waters 
thereof roar and be troubled.' And 
then, in a strain of thanksgiving, poured 
out such a burst of grateful acknowl- 
edgment for, and reliance upon, the 
sustaining and preserving mercies of 
God, as befitted the solemnity of the 
occasion and the greatness of the escape. 
Then addressing me, he said, 'My 
brother, the Lord has work for us to do 
yet, and has yet mercies in store for us. 
Let us learn never to distrust his power 
or willingness to preserve, and never to 



92 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

shrink from the straightforward path 
of duty; or the work to which he has 
appointed us.' " After drying his wet 
clothes at a neighboring house, the 
bishop proceeded on his journey, arriv- 
ing at Cincinnati in time to preach in 
the evening. 

This incident may guide us to an un- 
derstanding of Bishop Roberts's fearless 
performance of what he considered to 
be his duty. He beheved that he was 
God's servant, and engaged in his Mas- 
ter's work; and had no fears that he 
would not be preserved by the power 
and goodness of God, as long as his ser- 
vices were in a right spirit and neces- 
sary for the salvation of souls. Acting 
under such principles, danger and per- 
sonal opposition, or persecution of the 
cause in which he was enlisted, never 
caused him to swerve from his duty. 



LIFE OF EOBEET R. ROBERTS. 93 

Without attempting to trace the steps 
of Bishop Roberts in his annual labors 
at the conferences^ we may say that he 
was blessed with health, and although 
the weight of years was settling down 
upon him, he was cheerful and happy in 
his toil. 

In the winter of 1834 he was sick 
at Louisville, Kentucky, and for a time 
it was thought by all that he would not 
recover. His suffering was intense and 
protracted, but he bore it with quiet 
submission, and an unwavering faith in 
his Saviour. His physicians, baffled in 
all their efforts, gave up hope, informing 
him they could do no more, and sug- 
gested that he should settle his earthly 
affairs. An intimate friend was sent 
for ; his villi written, and attested by 
witnesses. He drew the bed-clothes 
over his face, as if to shut out all earthly 



94 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

scenes and thoughts, and his weeping 
friends waited to hear him breathe his 
last. But God^ in great mercy, had 
ordered otherwise. The force of the 
disease abated, and in a few weeks he 
was so far recovered as to return home. 

At the General Conference held in 
Cincinnati in May, 1836, he was pres- 
ent, and seemed to enjoy himself greatly. 
He lodged, in company with Bishop 
Hedding, at Rev. Oliver M. Spencer's 
dwelling, finding a pleasant and conge- 
nial home. There was a desire among 
some of the members to make some 
change in the labor of the episcopacy, 
dividing the whole territory into episco- 
pal districts, and assigning a bishop to 
each district for four years in succession. 
In the event of such a change, Bishop 
Roberts was spoken of to occupy a dis- 
trict in the East. And it seems that he 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 95 

expressed himself willing to take up his 
residence wherever the Church should 
deem it best for her interests. 

The bishop could not but reahze that 
he was growing old ; and although his 
health was quite as good as that of most 
men of his age^ he had never entirely 
recovered from the effects of his sick- 
ness at Louisville. He made^ therefore^ 
a statement to the conference^ that he 
could no longer be considered as an 
efcdive officer. The conference^ after 
this statement, passed a resolution, say- 
ing, That he be at full liberty to pur- 
sue such a course as he may think best, 
during the ensuing four years, for the 
improvement of his health, and to pro- 
long his useful life, affording, in the 
mean time, all the service he can, as a 
joint superintendent, or bishop, in our 
Church." 



96 LIFE OF EGBERT R. ROBERTS. 

The bishops made out a plan of visit- 
ations to the conferences for the ensu- 
ing four years, assigning to him as 
follows: 1836, Missouri, Illinois, and 
Indiana ; 1837, Pittsburgh, Erie, Mich- 
igan, Ohio, and Kentucky; 1838, Gen- 
esee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Ala- 
bama; 1839-40, Holston, Georgia, 
South Carohna, North Carolina, Vir- 
ginia, and Baltimore. It will be seen 
by this plan, that he was favored in 
not having to be far froni home, except 
toward the close of the four years, the 
tour leading him then into the vicinity 
of the seat of the General Conference. 

So far as we can ascertain, he did more 
than this, assisting at several other con- 
ferences, although his health was more 
or less feeble during the whole term. 
When not engaged in official duties, he 
remained at home, and, as far as his 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 97 

strength would admit; worked on his 
farm. He delighted in this labor^ not 
for the pecuniary assistance it gave him, 
although he needed this^ but it was con- 
genial to his physical system. Not only 
was his farm improved^ but he also 
erected a mill upon it. 

The bishops held a meeting in New- 
York in May, 1838, to consult on the 
state of the work at large, and their 
own duties and administration. Bishop 
Roberts was the only one absent. His 
age, infirmities, and duties for the year 
compelled him to forego the pleasure. 

There were many of his friends, espe- 
cially among the preachers of the West- 
ern conferences, who looked upon his 
place of residence in a remote and re- 
tired part of the country, as being 
wrongly located, either for his own 
comfort or the convenience of the 
1 



98 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

Church. They were anxious to see 
him located at some more prominent 
and accessible point. Madison^ New- 
Albany^ and Greencastle, in the state 
of Indiana^ were proposed ; the Meth- 
odists of Louisville held out advant- 
ages. The Indiana Conference of Octo- 
ber, 1839, passed resolutions, by a 
unanimous rising vote, requesting such 
a change in his residence. But he felt 
that his earthly race was nearly run, 
and declined to act in accordance with 
their wishes. 

Bishop Roberts was able to visit the 
conferences assigned to him, and was 
present at the session of the General 
Conference in Baltimore, May 1, 1840. 
He read the Scriptures at the opening 
services, and presided with marked abil- 
ity during several meetings of the Con- 
ference. The Address of the bishops 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 99 



to the Conference would seem to sug- 
gest that they desired an addition to 
the episcopacy, and so the Committee 
on Episcopacy reported; but the Con- 
ference refused to concur. Of the six 
bishopS; three, according to their own 
statement^ were ^' enfeebled by labor^, 
age, and infirmity and the labors de- 
volving upon the bench were great, and 
rapidly increasing. 

In the year 1841 he attended the 
Pittsburgh, Erie, Michigan, North Ohio, 
Ohio, and Indiana Conferences. At all 
these conferences his labors were excess- 
ive and protracted. In passing from 
Pittsburgh to the Erie Conference, he 
made a visit to the scenes of his early 
pioneer life, visiting his sister and some 
old friends. When at home, he still 
worked on the farm, which was both a 
source of profit and recreation. 



100 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

In the spring of 1842 he set out, in 
company with Rev. E. R. Ames, (now 
Bishop Ames,) to make an extended 
visit to the Indian missions in the ex- 
treme West. The mission work had a 
place near his heart ; and although his 
age and infirmities might have been ac- 
cepted as a sufficient excuse in not un- 
dertaking this hard journey, he was 
anxious to make a personal inspection 
of their wants, that he might make an 
intelligent provision for them. 

They proceeded down the Ohio and 
Mississippi Rivers to the mouth of the 
Arkansas River, and up that river to 
Fort Smith, on the confines of the 
Indian Territory. From this point his 
first visit was to the Choctaw and Cher- 
okee Indians, not far away from the 
fort. The missions of the Choctaws 
were on Red River, but as it would 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS, 101 

cost him a journey of three hundred 
miles on horseback^ it was judged best 
that he should not undertake it. The 
Cherokees were delighted to see a 
bishop among them, and the impres- 
sion made by his visit was very favor- 
able. 

Returning to Fort Smith, they started 
for Fort Leavenworth, three hundred 
and fifty miles distant, on the Missouri 
River. The journey had many difficul- 
ties, but they were all surmounted. 
He had the pleasure of preaching to 
the Shawnees, Delawares, and Kicka- 
poos, visiting the schools, and making 
himself thoroughly acquainted with the 
missionary operations. They returned 
by the Kansas and Missouri Rivers to 
St. Louis, in which city he preached 
twice, and assisted in laying the corner- 
stone of the Centenary Church. It was 



102 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

his original design to visit the missions 
on the Upper Mississippi River^ but his 
strength and other engagements pre- 
cluded the fulfillment of the purpose. 

The Indiana Conference^ at their ses- 
sion in 1841^ requested him to sit for 
a full-length portrait. He acceded to 
the request, and repaired to Greencas- 
tie, spending two weeks there in July, 
1842. The portrait, which is said to 
be a very good likeness, is now^ in the 
possession of the Indiana Asbury Uni- 
versity. The visit was one of great 
pleasure to all parties. During his stay 
at Greencastle, President (now^ Bishop) 
Simpson wrote down from his own hps 
a brief outline of his early life. 

From Greencastle he proceeded to 
Chicago to meet the Rock River Con- 
ference, August 3d. Here he presided 
with his usual ability, and preached as 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 103 



in his younger years. His next appoint- 
ment \Yas to meet the lUinois Confer- 
ence at Winchester ; thence, after the 
labors of the session^ he made his way 
to Jefferson city;, Missouri, The weather 
was hot, and he rode in an open buggy. 
His health was failing, and he remarked 
to his traveling comxpanion, that he w^as 
doing his last year's AYork. He was re- 
ceived at the Missouri Conference with 
special kindness, for he was looked upon 
as the father of that body. The closing 
scenes, in which the bishop addressed 
the preachers and people, giving a his- 
tory of the rise and progress of Meth- 
odism in Missouri, were touching to all 
hearts. At times, as the bishop ad- 
vanced in his address, he was so much 
affected that emotion checked his utter- 
ance ; and when, toward the close, he 
said, '^1 feel like a father leaving his 



104 LIFE OF BOBEET R. ROBERTS. 

children/' probably there was not a dry 
eye in the congregation. 

The labors of this conference made a 
serious impression on Bishop Roberts's 
health; so much so^ that he remarked 
on his death-bed, that he was never 
well one day after the session. 

From Jefferson city he returned home 
to recruit his health, that he might at- 
tend the session of the Arkansas Con- 
ference. He proceeded to this work in 
good time, although his health was 
very feeble. Bishop Andrews was also 
present, and his assistance greatly eased 
a burden which otherwise Bishop Rob- 
erts could scarcely have borne. After 
the session closed, he turned his steps 
toward home, arriving about Christmas. 

The Texas Conference had been as- 
signed him, and the members were very 
anxious to see him among them; but 



LIFE OF ROBEET E. EOBEETS. 105 

his feeble healthy the difficulties arising 
from the approaching war with the Mex- 
icansj the great distance and hardships 
of the journey^ all conspired to make 
the visit impossible. 

His official labors were closed^ al- 
though^ as yetj he knew it not ; and the 
rest of his life is the record of the Chris- 
tian man passing from earth to heaven. 
When we retrace the steps of the last 
year of his hfe, it seems almost incredi- 
ble that his labors were so abundant. 
He presided at four conferences^ preached 
from Sabbath to Sabbath^ in addition to 
his official duties^ and traveled about 
five thousand five hundred miles. But 
these labors were not the occasion of 
boasting on his part ; in reviewing them 
on his death-bedj he still said^ " I have 
been but an unprofitable servant." 



106 LIFE OF EGBERT R. ROBERTS. 



CHAPTER VII. 

LAST DAYS — DEATH CHARACTER. 

Bishop Roberts had not arrived at 
home before the winter set in with more 
than usual severity, and he noticed that 
it produced a great effect on his health. 
For some time he had been afflicted 
with the asthma, and the cold weather 
increased the disease. But he trusted 
that his strong constitution would over- 
come all this, and did not resort to 
medical aid. 

He remained most of the time in 
doors, and although many apphcations 
were made for his presence at meetings, 
he dechned them all. He attended a 
Christmas meeting, however, in the 
village where he lived, and united with 



LIFE OF ROBEET R. ROBERTS. 107 



his brethren in the services with much 
feehng. 

His nephew, George Roberts, for 
whom he had a strong affection, being 
his adopted son, died on the 27th of 
December. It was a severe stroke upon 
him, but his peaceful Christian death 
did much to lessen the bishop's guef. 

Having been invited to visit Bedford, a 
small town ten miles from his residence, 
and take part in a Xew- Year's meet* 
ing, he attended, although in poor health. 
He concluded the watch-night with a 
few impressive remarks, and with sing- 
ing and prayer. The next morning, 
Sunday, he preached from Prov. xxii, 
1] : ^^He that loveth pureness of heart, 
for the grace of his lips the king will 
be his friend." This was one of his 
favorite texts, and the effort seemed 
fully equal to any of his younger days. 



108 LIFE OF EGBERT R. ROBERTS. 

Thrilling eloquence, deep feeling, and 
tenderness beamed out in every portion 
of it. The most intense interest and 
feeling pervaded the whole congregation. 
Toward the close he remarked, My 
work is almost done ; these trembling 
hands, these whitened locks, portend a 
speedy dissolution. I expect soon to 
fall ; but it concerns me little when or 
where I fall, so that I but rest in the 
arms of my Saviour." After the ser- 
mon, he assisted in the consecration of 
the elements for the Sacrament of the 
Lord's Supper. 

The meeting was protracted, and he 
remained several days, and engaged 
in speaking to the mourners at the 
altar, and prayed frequently, but did 
not preach again. Returning home 
on horseback, he suffered from the 
extreme cold weather, taking a fresh 



LIFE OF EGBERT Pv. ROBERTS. 109 

cold^ which seems to have been the im- 
mediate cause of his death. 

The following Sabbath he filled the 
pulpit at Lawrenceport, the preacher 
who was to preach being sick. His 
text was Matt, 8 : " Blessed are the 
pure in hearty for they shall see God." 
The subject^ purity of heart, and its 
necessity as a preparation for another 
life, was plainly set forth, and pressed 
upon the attention of his hearers with 
much tenderness and ability. It was 
his last sermon, and the subject was in 
keeping with his whole religious life. 
God's great work of grace had been 
wrought in his heart, and few men had 
ever given a more comaplete proof of it 
in their lives. Its clear, mild radiance 
gleamed out in every action, giving an 
unusual beauty to his natural sim- 
plicity. 



110 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

For three weeks he was very feeble, 
but was able to walk about. He had 
great difficulty in breathings but he did 
not look upon this as in any sense an 
alarming symptom of disease. 

About the close of January, a tem- 
perance meeting, the first of the kind, 
was to be held in the village, and his in- 
terest in the cause was so great that he 
determined to be present, although he 
could scarcely walk, so much was he re- 
duced in strength. About the close, he 
arose with trembling, made a few perti- 
nent remarks, requesting the secretary 
to enroll his name as a member of the 
society. His residence was only a few 
hundred yards from the place of meet- 
ing, but he reached home with diffi- 
culty. 

His asthma becoming worse, in a few 
days he sent for a physician, and his 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. Ill 

prescriptions seemed to relieve him. 
The physician was himself taken sick^ 
and in his necessary absence the disease 
grew so much worse that Dr. Cavens, 
of Springville^ was sent for. The doc- 
tor arrived about midnight, found him 
breathing with difficulty and spitting 
blood, but saw no immediate cause for 
alarm. The medicine administered pro- 
duced the desired effect. 

Toward the close of February, for 
three days, he seemed much better, but 
relapsed by taking cold, and his disease 
assumed the form of typhus fever. 
Two additional physicians were called 
in, but their efforts made no change in 
his condition. 

He conversed but Httle during his 
sickness, for it gave him pain to con- 
verse ; but he was patient, and respond- 
ed in family worship. Several ministers 



112 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

visited him, and he assured them that 
his confidence in his Saviour was un- 
wavering. There were no indications of 
ecstasy which many Christians manifest 
on the death-bed, but a living, un- 
wavering faith in the relation which he 
held to his Redeemer. All this was in 
strict keeping with his character. He 
was a man of tender feelings, and of 
great depth of Christian enjoyment, but 
rarely did he give vent in words to 
what was evidently filling his soul with 
joy. In his happiest moments a calm, 
heavenly expression beamed from his 
face, as he sat, and seemed to be too 
full for words. 

On the 14th of March he made his 
will, signing it himself, and completed 
his temporal arrangements. In answer 
to his brother and a friend, who desired 
to know his wishes in respect to a burial 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 113 



place and the funeral^ he answered, " I 
want to be decently buried ; nothing 
more. No pomp ; no show. This poor 
tenement/' said he, laying his hands on 
his heart, "is worth nothing more than 
a decent covering." 

At times he was affected with a slight 
delirium; and on these occasions his 
mind seemed to be dwelling on the In- 
dian missions. Even while in his right 
mind, his thoughts dwelt much on these 
missions. 

On Friday, the 24th of March, he 
began to show signs of approaching dis- 
solution, and it v/as thought he was 
dying, but during the day he revived, 
and had several persons in his room en- 
gage in prayer. He lay comparatively 
easy, but evidently growing weaker 
rapidly, until Saturday evening. On 
this evening, about ten o'clock, he was 

8 



114 LIFE OF ROBEET B. ROBERTS. 

seized with a severe paroxysm^ and 
struggled in great pain^ but in full pos- 
session of his mental faculties^ until half 
past one o'clock on Sabbath morning, 
when his spirit departed for the better 
land. " Just before he expired he look- 
ed around on all that were in the room. 
He appeared to be bidding them his last 
adieu. He then raised both his hands, 
as if in the act of offering himself to 
God for the last time ; and in a few" 
moments he ceased to breathe. This 
was at half past one o'clock on Sunday 
morning, the 26th of March, 1843. 
From the appearance of his counte- 
nance, scarcely any one would have 
thought that death had been there : it 
was placid and serene." 

His funeral sermon was preached on 
Monday, by Rev. E. G. Wood of the 
Indiana Conference, from Revelation 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 115 

xiv, 13^ to a large congregation ; but the 
inclemency ofthe weather was such that 
he was not buried until the next day. 

His death was reahzed by the Church 
as a great loss^ and services were held 
in many places in reference to his death. 
Sermons were preached at the annual 
conferences^ and every expression of 
respect was paid to his memory. 

At the session of the Indiana Con- 
ference held in October^ 1843^ resolu- 
tions were passed to have the remains 
of Bishop Roberts removed, with the 
consent of his widow, from his farm to 
Greencastle, and a committee to attend 
to the necessary arrangements wxre 
provided. They also determined to 
erect a suitable monument to his mem- 
ory, and Bishop Soule w^as requested 
to furnish an inscription for the pur- 
pose. 



116 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

The body was disinterred and brought 
to Greencastle in January, 1844. A 
space was selected in the college grounds, 
on a beautiful knoll; and after appropriate 
services in the chapel of the university, 
the body was again given to the earth, 
where it sleeps waiting the resurrec- 
tion of the dead. 

We trust that we have already given 
a general statement of Bishop Roberts's 
character, but some additional remarks 
may be made without in the least ex- 
hausting the subject. 

The bishop's personal appearance was 
such as to command attention. He 
was slightly above the average height, 
strong and athletic in proportion, and 
corpulent in his latter days. His feat- 
ures were large and manly, but the 
kindness of his heart so shone out of his 
face, that many spoke of him as being 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. Ill 

beautiful. The eye was blue^, full of 
repose, and never kindled or sparkled 
with his emotions, but remained calm 
and clear. 

His manners were captivating on ac- 
count of their true simpKcity. He was 
always natural, whether at the fireside, 
in the pulpit, or presiding in the con- 
ference. His simplicity commanded the 
respect of any company into which he 
was thrown in his itinerant life. His 
intercourse with men, as well as the 
character of his mind, had given him a 
deep knowledge of human nature, and 
he was rarely deceived in the judgment 
he formed of men. 

Religion seemed to be natural with 
him. No doubt his early conversion, 
and the purity of his moral life before 
his conversion, will, to some extent, ex- 
plain this feature of his character. You 



118 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

CQuld not be in his company, even a 
short time, without being impressed 
that he was a deeply pious man. Yet 
he made no effort, as far as one could 
see, to appear religious. Religion seem- 
ed to have become a second nature to 
him. 

His piety was very uniform. It did 
not at any time burst forth in such strains 
of joy as we have seen in others, nor 
were there periods of spiritual barrenness. 
It was both ardent and active in its uni- 
formity. The deep emotions of his heart 
rose to the surface, but not with tem- 
pestuous tossings. 

There was, therefore, a serene beauty 
in his religious character, such as is but 
rarely seen. This was, indeed, the strong 
chord that bound so many hearts to his 
with an enduring affection. It made a 
deeper impression than all his other 



LIFE OF ROBEET R. ROBERTS. 119 

talents combined^ although these would 
have secured credit to any man. Even 
unreligious persons who were permitted 
to be in his company^ always afterward 
spoke of him as being the best man they 
had ever seen. 

As a preacher. Bishop Roberts made 
. a good impression ; at times he seemed 
to have a supernatural power. Yet he 
was not in any sense impassioned or 
declamatory, but tremblingly alive to his 
position as a preacher of the word of sal- 
vation, and earnest as a man should be 
who has to render an account to God 
for the use of his talents and position. 
He spoke fluently, and his words were 
well chosen, but there seemed no de- 
sire to do more than clearly communi- 
cate his thoughts. His discourses were 
very systematic, but they appeared to 
be so because of the natural structure 



120 LIFE OF EGBERT R. ROBERTS. 

of his mind^ rather than from study. 
Such sermonSj coming warm from a heart 
enjoying a constant flow of the love of 
Godj could not fail to make a deep im- 
pression upon the hearers. It was not 
a strange thing to see the whole congre- 
gation moved to tears. 

The following incident will give an 
idea of his power as a preacher. It is 
from the sermon on his death, preached 
by Rev. C. W. Ruter. 

I well recollect that, when attend- 
ing the Missouri Conference, which held 
its annual session in the city of St. 
Louis, in the fall of 1823, I became ac- 
quainted with an intelligent military 
ofl&cer of high rank, who, at that time, 
I think, had charge of a military post 
on the frontier, high up the Missouri 
River. On one occasion, while in con- 
versation, he inquired if Bishop Roberts 



LIFE OF EGBERT E. EOBEETS. 121 



would be there durino; the sittino; of the 
conference ; and being informed he 
would not^ he expressed great regret, 
remarking that he had heard the bishop 
preach once, and would go a consider- 
able distance to enjoy the privilege again. 
He added, ' I was in the citv when 
your conference held a previous session 
here, and learning that Bishop Roberts 
was to preach, I went to hear him. 
When I arrived, the chapel was so much 
crowded that it was with difficulty I ob- 
tained a seat just inside the door. I 
saw the bishop sitting in the pulpit ; 
but, having been on a long frontier tour, 
(as I afterward learned,) his apparel 
looked rather rusty, and I did not sup- 
pose that could be him. At length he 
arose to begin the service. I then 
thought it probable that the bishop was 
ill, and that this venerable-looking man 



122 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

was put up to fill his place. I felt dis- 
appointed^ but thought that I would 
wait a little^ and hear what he had to 
say. He commenced reading, and soon 
I found that I had mistaken my man. 
After the hymn was sung, he knelt and 
prayed ; and such a j)rayer. He read 
his text and commenced preaching, and 
I soon became so deeply interested in 
the speaker and his subject as to lose 
sight of everything besides ; and when 
I next came to myself, I found that I 
had irresistibly arisen from my seat, 
pressed through the crowded aisle, and 
was standing near the pulpit, my hand 
uplifted, my eyes and mouth open, and 
I was weeping with all my might. 
And 0, it did me such good to weep. 
I thought that everybody in the house 
was weeping too.' " 

Now, the man that frequently pro- 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 123 



ducecl such effects as these, must be 
allowed to be eloquent in the best sense 
of the word. However deficient in 
those graces of elocution and arts of 
rhetoric taught in the schools, he ac- 
compHshed the object at which they 
claim to aim, moving the heart and con- 
vincing the mind by a vocal presenta- 
tion of the truth. 

No doubt a large portion of his power 
in the pulpit arose from the knowledge 
of his own heart;, and the experience of 
religion in his own soul. Xot that he 
spoke of himself, but from himself" 
His own experience formed the basis of 
many a sermon and exhortation. He 
preached directly to the heart and con- 
sciencoj and he rarely failed to reach 
them. 

We have already noticed somewhat 
largely his extreme modesty and diffi- 



124 LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 

dence^ but we are not to suppose that 
these qualities interfered with a proper 
discharge of his official duties. They 
often seemed to limit his sphere of ac- 
tion j but he never failed to perform 
whatever came within the range of 
duty. Much as he was admired and 
loved as a man and minister^ it cannot 
be said that there was any less affec- 
tion for him as a bishop. 

The position of bishop in the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church has more difficul- 
ties than any other office in her system 
of operations and government. It needs 
a happy combination of good sense and 
piety to meet the expectations and de- 
mands of the people and preachers. So 
far our Church has been singularly 
fortunate — may we not say^ divinely 
guided ? — in securing men fully compe- 
tent for the position ; but in none of 



LIFE OF ROBERT R. ROBERTS. 125 

these selections was she more fortunate 
than in that of Bishop Roberts. 

He was meek, but his meekness did 
not interfere with his decision ; indeed, 
it tempered, while it added weight 
to the decision. There were times 
when he stood immovable as a rock 
bedded in the earth, but none who 
knew him ever accused him of being 
obstinate. His diffidence could not be 
construed into fear. He feared to sin 
against God, to go contrary to the 
teaching of his conscience, but when in 
the performance of duty he had no fear 
of man. In common with his brethren 
of the early days of Methodism, he had 
that heroism which was essential to the 
great work of going into the camp of the 
enemy to proclaim the truths of salvation. 

Bishop Roberts was a man of the 
largest and truest benevolence. He 



126 LIFE OF EGBERT E. ROBEETS. 

was never in what most men call inde- 
pendent circumstances^ and for some 
years did not even accept that to which 
he had a legal claim. But he gave com- 
paratively large sums in benevolence. 
At times^ as when he sold his horse 
and gave the proceeds to the aid of the 
brethren in New-Orleans^ he seemed to 
pass the bounds of prudence. But 
when his large heart prompted^ he paid 
no attention to his own necessities. 
He gave a hundred dollars to each of 
four literary institutions in our Church, 
and made the Indiana Asbury Univer- 
sity his residuary legatee. This also 
indicates how deeply he was interested 
in our educational institutions. 

^^He rests from his labors, and his 
works do follow him." 



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